Kirk Cousins Named Starting Quarterback for Raiders Over Rookie Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders have appointed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as their starter for Week 1 of the NFL season, confirming that 2026 No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza will serve as the backup.

This decision was announced by Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak ahead of the team's home opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 13. Kubiak expressed confidence in Cousins, noting his strong performance during the offseason and training camp.

Cousins, who has over a decade of starting experience with teams like Washington, Minnesota, and Atlanta, joined the Raiders in April after two seasons with the Falcons. In the preseason, he demonstrated his readiness by completing 76.4 percent of his passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in two games. Meanwhile, Mendoza, who had a standout college career at Indiana, is expected to develop further before taking on a starting role.